Catching up with a few leaders of tomorrow
by CARTER DAVIS
In an industry filled with countless seasoned veterans and deeply entrenched experts, AAHOA is fortunate to enjoy a growing number of Young Professional members among its ranks. As any business owner is painfully aware, the current economic climate has nearly everyone looking to the future for growth, fresh ideas, and stability. What, then, can Young Professionals offer in the name of recovery, training, and growth? As it turns out, they bring quite a lot to the table. Here are just a few of AAHOA’s best and brightest.
If you have been in this industry for more than a handful of years, be sure to take the time to identify the Young Professionals in your orbit and bring them under your wing. And if you’re newer to this profession, welcome! Find a mentor and find out how to best channel your enthusiasm and take your career to the next level.
Name: Shreyas (JR) Patel
Job Title: President and Chief Operating Officer
Current Employer: Helix Hospitality
Current Age: 33
WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO GET INVOLVED IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?
My family has been involved in developing, investing, and operating commercial real estate since the early 1980s and has been active in the hospitality industry since the early 1990s. My interest in hospitality stemmed from growing up in the business, watching, learning operations hands on, and wanting to improve the way we did things as well as enhancing the guest experience. My practical experience coupled with my background in finance was a natural fit for growing a hospitality company.
How do you think your perspective might differ from someone who has been in this industry for 20 or 30 years?
I think my perspective is a bit more flexible, and I tend to have more risk appetite than someone who has been in the industry for 20+ years. From a flexibility perspective, I feel I’m more willing and able to make changes to properties and service levels than others mainly because of my age and ability to understand a younger consumer. I think my risk appetite dovetails into flexibility as I would likely be bullish, for instance, on a gentrifying site, where a more-seasoned executive might look at the opportunity as having more unknowns.
CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW A PERSON OR EMPLOYER INVESTED IN YOU TO HELP ADVANCE YOUR CAREER?
Just after the last recession, my dad had a hotel in his portfolio he desperately needed to sell. It was one I was managing for him and that he was unsuccessful in selling for several years. Motivated to start acquiring distressed assets and growing the company, my dad made me an offer: Find a buyer and figure out how to sell the property I was managing, and he would reinvest the proceeds into a deal I brought him. Well, 120 days later the property was sold, and I had brought him a handful of new opportunities to reinvest in, which he gladly took. If it were not for my dad’s willingness to stake my first deal, I wouldn’t be here today. My dad’s philosophy has always been to pay it forward. As a first-time business owner 40-plus years ago, someone took a chance on my dad and saw something in him that maybe he didn’t see, so I guess this was his way of paying it forward.
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU SHARE WITH YOUNGER EXECUTIVES IN THE INDUSTRY LOOKING TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR CAREERS?
Stay humble. It’s easy to be blinded by big developments, magazine covers, and so much more, but the reality is we’re all small business owners. If you’re committed to the hospitality industry, take your time and learn it inside and out. It has taken a lifetime to build, develop, and hone the skills you use. Don’t rush to failure. Take your time to succeed.
And stay curious and keep learning. We have an old saying in the hospitality world: “The day you think you’ve seen it all, the industry throws you a curveball.” Learning, growing, and continuing to challenge yourself are some of the most important qualities in a dynamic and ever-changing industry. Your ability to make mistakes, learn, grow, and pivot is what will keep you going for the long haul!
Decide and be ready to problem solve. One of the most important pieces of advice I give younger executives is simply to make a decision. As a leader, not making a decision is worse than making the wrong decision. Secondly, you need to problem solve and figure out a solution if that decision didn’t work out the way you planned, because it probably won’t.
WHAT RESOURCES CAN YOU RECOMMEND FOR YOUNGER PROFESSIONALS TO ADVANCE THEIR CAREERS?
AAHOA does an amazing job at allowing Young Professionals to network, and grow through professional training and certifications. Attend Regional Conferences, speak to your state lodging association leaders, and most importantly, ask for help! You would be surprised how many people are willing to make introductions, provide some guidance through difficult situations, and so much more.
Name: Nauman Panjwani
Job Title: Director of Strategic Operations
Current Employer: SNS Investments
Current Age: 26
WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO GET INVOLVED IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?
Like a lot of young immigrant families, I’ve grown up in the industry. It’s in my blood and has made me the man I am today. With that, post-grad, I decided going out into the corporate world and broadening my horizons would add more to my perspective in the long run. Somehow, I knew hospitality would call my name again, and when I got the call to spearhead three custom properties from design to opening, it was an offer I couldn’t pass up. It’s always been a dream of mine to build something from the ground up, to make a lasting impact on this world. This is where I thrive, building strong connections, serving the community, and leading in a high-paced and challenging industry.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR PERSPECTIVE MIGHT DIFFER FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IN THIS INDUSTRY FOR 20 OR 30 YEARS?
Our average traveler is no longer limited to the Baby Boomer category. We are seeing equal parts of production from the millennial and even Gen Z travelers now. With this comes a shift in expectations. The traveling mindset, like any consumer mindset, has shifted. In a global platform, it’s important to find ways to customize the experience to feel personal and serve the individual. I’m able to leverage key marketing and social media platforms to quickly take our brand and business to the next level. That’s the biggest shift, knowing this industry is ever evolving with amenities that clients may value and technology that makes it more convenient, as well as changing trends and industry standards. It’s our job to pivot strategically to ensure we are well-positioned to best serve today’s traveler.
WHAT SKILLS SHOULD YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WORK ON DEVELOPING TO BETTER SERVE THEIR CAREER?
When your manager or employer treats you as an asset and fosters a sense of partnership, it creates the desire to do more and grow for both yourself and the company. Also, never be afraid of constructive criticism. It helps you learn how to improve on key development areas. Keeping that line of communication open for honest and real feedback will only help you become better. Bottom line? We need more genuine partnerships and constructive criticism.
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU SHARE WITH YOUNGER EXECUTIVES IN THE INDUSTRY LOOKING TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR CAREERS?
There are three key pieces I can offer: (1) Build out your network but focus on the quality and diversity of those connections. You never know when serendipity can hit, and luck often favors those who put themselves out there. (2) Get involved with local organizations like your local restaurant & lodging association, your chamber’s young professionals’ group, a non-profit about which you’re passionate. This will help you get to know those around you, bring up opportunities that would have never come across your path, and become an engaged partner in the community. Lean into your passions, which will lead to meaningful relationships and impacts. (3) Don’t forget your struggles and the lessons they bring with them. More importantly, use them to make you stronger both mentally and experientially, rather than letting them break you. No two people will go through the same path, but each of us face our share of challenges. Take in the learnings from these setbacks and use it to add a level of empathy in the way you lead and build your business.
WHAT RESOURCES CAN YOU RECOMMEND FOR YOUNGER PROFESSIONALS TO ADVANCE THEIR CAREERS?
Very likely, every city has a leadership class that young professionals can use to familiarize and get involved with the city’s leadership. Additionally, the amount of online hospitality resources that have opened up during the pandemic are quite impressive. Top universities have started offering free or extremely affordable online courses on everything you can imagine via platforms like Coursera, edX, Udemy, etc. There are, of course, also resources via your brand partners and trade associations. The resources are abundant; you just have to be open to asking about them and/or getting involved!
Name: Dhruti Patel
Job Title: Vice President of Revenue and Sales
Current Employer: ALKO Hotels
Current Age: 26
WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO GET INVOLVED IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?
I’ve always had a passion for working with and helping others. And like most of us, I grew up in the industry.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR PERSPECTIVE MIGHT DIFFER FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IN THIS INDUSTRY FOR 20 OR 30 YEARS?
We may think of things that have not been done before and use newer technologies to help innovate and improve our lives. I’m assuming most are like me, a first-generation American. We have a different perspective on life and how business works, growing up in it.
CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW A PERSON OR EMPLOYER INVESTED IN YOU TO HELP ADVANCE YOUR CAREER?
My parents (also my employers) invested heavily in my education and haven’t stopped. My favorite quote from my dad is “No one can ever take away your knowledge.” So, with that mindset, I’ve developed an appetite to learn as much as I can, from whomever I can.
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU SHARE WITH YOUNGER EXECUTIVES IN THE INDUSTRY LOOKING TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR CAREERS?
Just start. This is the best industry to work and build a future in.
WHAT RESOURCES CAN YOU RECOMMEND FOR YOUNGER PROFESSIONALS TO ADVANCE THEIR CAREERS?
My favorites are AAHOA and Cornell, but the resources truly are endless. I have personally completed a couple of programs from Cornell and have found them to be very helpful in my career along with various certifications from AAHOA.
From AAHOA’s Young Professional Directors
“The bottom line is that AAHOA is no longer just the voice of Asian American hotel owners. We are now the voice of this industry, and the Young Professional platform will continue to help the next
generation of leaders succeed.”
Miraj S. Patel, AAHOA Young Professional Director, Western Division
“The best advice I can give veterans is to help mentor young minds. Younger generations are still learning at a rapid pace and are able to absorb and apply all the information they’re learning.”
Bhavik Patel, AAHOA Young Professional Director, Eastern Division
